ICCD-based fast fluorescence micro-imaging technique and preliminary application in living cells

A fast fluorescence micro-imaging system using mainly intensified charge couple device(ICCD), argon-ion laser, and xenon lamp was set up, and its preliminary application in living cells was presented. Real-time observation and imaging of fast concentration and distribution changing of intracellular Ca2+ labeled by Fluo-3, a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, in the proliferation process of rat cerebral micro-vessels endothelial cells(rCMECs) were carried out, and curves of artificial intensity versus imaging sequence of four typical points were obtained. It is shown that the ICCD-based fast fluorescence micro-imaging system is a powerful tool for recording the real-time fast processes in living cells.